VAR major highlight as COSAFA Cup kicks off in Gqeberha

Sue Destombes, general secretary of the federation, has in the past spoken at length about the build-up to having the modern technology implemented in the region and now that has finally become a reality. VAR will be in effect for the first time in the men’s tournament and Destombes explained the process.

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''We have been cooking for the last five days in Johannesburg, because all of our male referees this time have been in Johannesburg since the 20th and have been put through a five day intensive training workshop on VAR. So they all fly into the city this morning, fresh out of the classroom and on the field, they have been at the UJ camps with players doing simulated incidents etc,'' said Destombes.

The group stages will not enjoy those benefits just yet with VAR only offline.

''And during the tournament, as we did during the women's tournament last year - the group round will serve as further training, it will be offline and the semi-finals and finals will be live on RAV. I am very excited about that,'' added Destombes.

Destombes confirmed that SAFA and other member associations will be allowed to use the VAR kit should they wish to train their match officials.

Meanwhile, tickets for all matches will not cost a penny – but there is a procedure.

''The tickets are free of charge. It's not altogether Cosafa's decision in terms of charge or not charge. It is the prerogative of the host association but the Cosafa tournaments, our members association, our host Safa - they have always said, with our agreement as well, to make the tickets free of charge and  bring football to the people. So yes it is free of charge, yes you must have a ticket to enter the stadium. There will be a ticket kiosk set up at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium from 8am tomorrow and each match day,'' she concluded.